Properties worth millions of Naira have been burnt to ashes at the Cable Point Quarters, popularly called “Cable Point Market” in Asaba, Delta State.
The fire outbreak which occurred on Monday was suspected to have been caused by an electrical fault.
Eyewitnesses said the fire which completely destroyed the entrance to the building, started around 2am, and it was neighbours owners who alerted the authorities to about the disaster.
Three persons who attempted to put out the fire sustained serious injuries, as the fire was beyond what they could tackle, witnesses said. The men are currently recuperating in private hospital where they we’re rushed to thereafter.
Mr. Ogbueshi Joseph Nwandu who witnessed the incident blamed it on poor electrical connection, adding that the victims were lucky to have escaped death.
Investigation revealed that in the past few weeks, residents of Cable Point Quarters have been apprehensive, following the continuous sparks of cables on the electric poles in the areas whenever there was power supply.
Affected traders, most of whom had just stocked their stores cried profusely as they watched helpessly.
One of the security men in the market, Nnamdi Paul, said the fire broke out after a prolonged sparks from the electrical cables’ switch boxes that were connected to the market building.
He said, “We were just doing the rounds when, suddenly, we observed that fire was coming out of the switch boxes connecting the entire market building. We ran for help, but it was to no avail.”
Alhaji Lade Lawal, like others shopkeepers, expressed shock about the incident, saying he had just stocked his shop.
In his reaction, the state Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Chika Ossai, said the situation was was unfortunate, promising that the government would find the cause of the fire and prevent a recurrence.
Officials of the fire service in Asaba who spoke anonymously said they arrived the scene after the fire had wreaked havoc on the market.
As at the time of filing this report, some policemen were patrolling the area, so as to ensure that hoodlums do not exploit the situation to steal goods that were salvaged.
